About Keystone Compliance

ISTA 6 Amazon.com-SIOC Type H

Amazon Type H is for individually packaged TV’s and monitors that are more than 150 pounds (68 kg) with a girth more than 165 inches (4.19 m). The shipping method for these products is less than truckload (LTL) of individually-packaged products. Type H products use the standard handling method. The standard handling method, also referenced as floor loaded, is for individual packaged-products that are received at an Amazon.com Fulfillment Center with no pallet or with multiple packaged products on a single pallet and are intended to ship to the end consumer without a pallet. Type H products qualify for Amazon SIOC status and are tested based on the ISTA 6 SIOC Type H test sequence outlined in the chart below.

It is important to keep in mind that TVs and monitors are considered non-fragile products thus only one sample is used for testing. A TV/Monitor product is defined as any package which contains as a primary product a TV of Monitor. This product category was created because of the unique attributes and inherent areas of fragility combined with the distinct handling practices that are necessary.

The purpose of Type H testing is to evaluate the protective performance of packaging for TV/Monitors. The package will undergo testing related to vibrations, shocks, and other stresses that packages normally encounter throughout transportation to the customer. During testing, the product will be inside the package and they are considered together. Not all shipping conditions can be tested with Type H alone. For example, this does not test for irregular handling.

Type H testing is specific to Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) delivery of individually packaged-products. Both elongated and flat packaged-products are included in this category. All packages that qualify for this test type are not palletized or skidded. Understanding terms is an important part of choosing the right transit testing. The following explains what is meant by LTL, elongated, and flat packages.

Less-Than-Truckload delivery is used for the transportation of small freight. The shipper will pay for a portion of a standard truck trailer that their product occupies and other shippers will fill the extra space. This shipping method is used for its benefits of reducing costs, increasing security, tracking capabilities, and other service options.

Elongated packaged-product is defined by dimensions. The box for these packages has its longest dimension greater than or equal to 36 inches (910 mm) and both of the other dimensions are each 20 percent or less of the longest dimension.

Flat packaged-product is defined by dimension and volume. The shortest dimension on these packages is 8 inches (200 mm) or less and the longest dimension is four or more times larger than the shortest dimension. In addition, the volume must be equal to or greater than 800 cubic inches (13,000 cubic centimeters).

The Basics of Amazon Type H Testing:

Testing Timeline

Request a quote from Keystone’s package testing engineers. Keystone will review your request and the current standards to provide an accurate quote. Once the quote is approved, Keystone technicians will be in contact to ensure that samples remain compliant throughout the process. See How to Submit a Sample for specific instructions. The product will undergo testing in accordance with the Testing Type requirements. After testing is completed, the vendor will receive an Amazon standard lab report that is to be submitted to Amazon for certification.

Pass/Fail Guidelines

This is a pass/fail test. Pass/fail standards will be determined prior to testing by the shipper, manufacturer, Amazon.com, and other stakeholders. They must determine the following:

What constitutes damage to the product

What damage tolerance level, if any, is allowable

The correct methodology to determine product condition at the end of testing

The acceptable package condition at the end of testing

Recertification is Required When:

There are any changes to packaging

There are changes to product design

Amazon observes damage during shipment to the customer

Keystone Package Testing provides vendors with the testing to certify their products to receive the benefits of Amazon’s SIOC status. With significant package testing knowledge, globally-recognized accreditation, short lead times and affordable prices, Keystone Package Testing is the best Amazon package testing lab partner.